Kinds of Givers (conclusion)
Good Morning,
Here are the last of the sixteen kinds of givers. These ought to teach us, not only, about giving, but also about self-examination. It is sometimes wise to ask ourselves, “Why do we do what we do?”
14. The Committed Giver
Philippians 4:15 “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.”
vs. 16 “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.”
There are some people in the church who are set just on their giving. They determine what God wants them to give, and they give it. It may be that times will be lean and difficult or it may be times will be prosperous, but they are committed. They commit to missions, tithe, and helping some ministry of the church; whether it be at the Christian school, the youth department, or the building projects. Bus ministries are so vital to winning churches and it is the committed giver who will determine they are going to support the buses, no matter what difficulties or blessings might follow.
Committed givers know that the great work of missionaries around the world is near to the heart of God. As stated in the passage above, they will give to the necessities of those who travel across the world bearing the name of Christ.
15. Covenant Givers (Not CONVENIENT- that is point 11)
How merciful is our Lord to all of us, but especially in the story of Jacob and his departure from home.
Jacob lies to his father and, with the help of his mother, orchestrates a great deception, having to leave home for fear of his brother killing him, then Jacob finds himself alone. In the desert, Jacob makes a “deal” with God.
Genesis 28:20 “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,”
vs. 21 “So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:”
Jacob told God that he would tithe, follow God, and live the life God asked of him but, he had one condition – that God would take care of him and bring him back home. A covenant is like a deal, a business arrangement. God heard Jacob offer a proposition: You take care of me, and I will faithfully serve you.
There may be some who may make deals with God such as: “If you help my child get better, I will love you,”or “If you help me get this new job, I will start tithing.” God does so much for us that we do not deserve, and this is one of those many situations. It is far better to be faithful to do what we are supposed to do than to put conditions on the Creator of the universe. In His endless mercy, God will often bless us, and hold up His side of a bargain, despite man's unfaithfulness.
16. Christlike Givers
Giving is best understood from the manger to the cross. We give because it is right to give. We give because someone needs us to give. We give because if we do not, no one else can do what we are uniquely equipped to do.
We give for the glory of God not for our own good. We give because real love will give selflessly.
Pastor